I'm getting tired of people making a post and then the peanut gallery proceeds to cut it all to pieces. Cut the negative crap. Where is the honor in that? Where is the love in that? The post clearly stated: "...and think it'll will work out well for my needs."

What part of that do some folks not get? The post wasn't asking for a critique. To keep the honest people away, yeah, it'll probably do. A quick run into the drug store or the post office, perfect! My guess is the OP would not leave the bike for long periods with that lock but who cares? It's his lock and his bike.

It's also a really cool looking lock!

Most of the comments on this thread are totally missing the point. Some folks seem to not even familiarized themselves with the design of the lock. Its not intended as an alternative to U locks. Its intended to be a more secure and lighter weight alternative to cables. Virtually any cable can be snipped in less than a minute with even a poor pair of diagonal cutters, a very common tool. So cable locks aren't even very good to prevent opportunistic theft. And cables are relatively heavy and bulky compared to the Ottolock.

The Ottolock, on the other hand, is very lightweight (120g). Its very convenient to use (faster than many cable designs). Yes, the 3 digit combo could be systematically hacked, but how long will it take to try +/- 500 combos? (I'm using the average tries to get to the one of the 1000 possibilities). Attempts to hammer/smash/lever the lock head are very likely to further trap the band, not release it. It can be cut, but the multiple layers of steel and kevlar DO create significant problems for many of the common cutting tools. It will substantially delay any thief w/ simple tools, compared to a cable lock. And since it can be cinched up tight, it presents orientation problems for the cutting tool that cable locks typically do not. So if I'm a thief, and I approach a bike rack, I'm going after the cable lock before the Ottolock, that's for certain.

Given the above, an Ottolock is arguably the best alternative for some common cycling scenarios. Touring being one of them. Take, for example, something like the Baja Divide. 40 days of riding, maybe 5 or 6 times you want to lock your bike. No way you want to lug 2+ pounds of U lock with you. Even a 300-400g cable is super annoying. But 120g of strap (which, btw, has additional uses around camp and on the bike) is a modest price to pay to have decent security for the 10 min trip into Walmart in La Paz.

I've been frustrated by the lock options for touring for literally decades, and the Ottolock is a welcome alternative.

I agree with this. The whole thread is a downer, I dont get all the negativity in what is a just basic review of a new product. For some people it will probably work out fine, nobody has to buy it if they dont care for it.

honest ppl don't have to be "kept" honest. & a thief, is a thief

Thief tries to steal bike from back of car in London | Daily Mail Online

I think there is a vast gray area in between the "honest" people and the hard core thieves. Certainly there are people who are willing to steal when easy opportunities present themselves, but don't walk around w/ battery operated angle grinders and 3 foot lever bars in their bags.

PS - that video is a good example of where the Ottolock would be helpful. It could quickly strap tight between bike and rack without risking the bike finish (won't bounce around like a cable or U lock) and prevent exactly these kinds of opportunistic attacks.

Interesting test. He really went at it with the bolt cutters. It would be interesting to see if it can be cut with tin snips or similar though.

What is your opinion of the state of the lock after its first attack? Review videos show that the teeth and cable portion of the lock absolutely mangle it to the point of the rendering the lock inoperable. You may not even be able to get the lock off yourself after that and will be stuck on the road.

So, all one needs to reset the lock is a paper clip?!

If I am interpreting your comment correctly, you are concerned about a thief failing to open the lock, but succeeding at making it inoperable?
The same theoretical concern applies to all locks. What are you going to do if someone snaps their Bic pen off in your U-lock keyway, and you can't open it with your key? Or if someone smashes the combination tumblers on your cable lock?
I don't see such concerns being any greater with the Ottolock.

A paper clip AND the correct combination that was valid before the reset.

Well, that's different. Never mind...

A "6 months later" update: the lock has worked out great for me. Since it's pretty light, I always have it with me (unlike my U-lock). I also really like the fact that it's long enough to secure both bike tires. I still wish the combo was four numbers rather than three, but other than that, I'm pretty happy with it.

And that is the end.

There is no universal "best" of much of anything. There is a situational "adequate on all fronts." The lock does everything this owner wants, so i this case, it is perfect.

I like the "Lite-LoK" and straplock or whatever (don't own one but have been looking at pro-level "test to destruction" tests) for similar reasons as the OP likes this (as I understand it): enough security for the situations in which it might be required, enough portability that it can be carried on every ride. (https://www.litelok.com/)

Still a huge amount of money to lock up a bike.

For half the price, the Ottolock looks like a great deal. I'd like to see it going through some of the serious third-party tests, though. Still, they seem pretty honest abut what it will resist. My biggest worry is that stupid thieves will think it is just a packing strap and damage my frame trying to pry it off.

If my $15 worth of hardened chain and combo lock aren't enough security to give me peace of mind I simpky won't lock up there.

But seriously ... Darn you [MENTION=193594]mc9000[/MENTION]you have almost convinced me to try an Ottolock.

A few questions if you would indulge me.


1. How thick are the links on your hardened chain?
2. How long is your chain?
3. How thick is the shackle of your combo lock?

The chain is Heavy. The links are Thick. It can be cut with a huge bolt-cutter because that is how I cut off a section at the hardware store ... and I know how hard I had to work (I had to lay my entire eighth-of-a ton into the job, with the bolt-cutters on the floor, and it took a me a few minutes ... and they were Big bolt cutters, supplied by the store specifically for cutting that chain.)

Basically, it would take a guy with a three-foot bolt cutter--if he could stretch the chain enough to lay one leg of the bolt cutters on the ground, which generally I prevent---several minutes wrestling to cut the chain. And anyone with three-foot bolt cutters ... would probably be smart enough to get a grinder ... he sure would next time.

I Believe the lock shackle and chain are 3/8 inch. I am not going to get up and check.

The chain is about four feet in length. I only carry it when I am going shopping someplace, and bring my commuter or rain bike, which have full racks and panniers. Six pounds of lock and chain (or whatever it weighs) isn’t an issue if I am buying a couple gallons of paint or milk or a 25-lb bag of rice.

The lock is definitely the weak point--- picking it would be a lot faster than getting through the chain.

However, as I have said here before and also in this post .... if the lock I am using doesn’t offer me .....

To me a lock is more about a sense of security than security. If someone really wants my bike, s/he will bring the tools and run the risk and steal the bike.

If a person wanted to take the time messing with my lock, I am sure it would give way. My hope is that no one wants any of the bikes I would leave locked in front of the grocery store or the library, enough to stand there messing with it, hoping no one asks or that I don’t come out, take a photo, and send it to the cops.

When I know I will be away from the bike for half an hour or so, I use the Big Chain because it sends a message---“This bike is Locked, sucker!”

In fact, a serious bike thief would sneer, ‘No bike is Safe, sucker!”

I could use a D-lock, but most of the places I have to lock up aren’t bike racks and don’t have convenient metal loops to link through. The chain is the only way to get the bike secured anywhere in an urban or suburban environment.

I am not under any illusion that my bike is ever “safe.” All I need is to feel that I have taken reasonable precautions, so I can shop in peace.

I hope if anyone sees that fat chain on the cheap bike, they will figure it isn’t worth the effort and just not bother. A determined thief ... wouldn’t bother stealing one of my cheap bikes.

For general/emergency use I use a cable lock --- either a cable with a “quick-pick” inline four-tumbler combo lock, or a cable with looped ends with a motorcycle helmet lock.

Either could be sawed through by someone with a steak knife in five minutes, or chewed through with pocket wire cutters in 90 seconds. As I mentioned, those are for totally unexpected stops where I think the risk is low enough or the need high enough.

The Ottolock would be a "one-size-fits-all" lock which would offer as much or more security as the chain with a lot less weight. I could bring it on any bike on any ride and not feel compromised by the weight and bulk.

The only drawback is that it lacks the psychological impact of the chain and padlock. Casual thieves might be more inclined to ty to force it and might damage my bike.

Anyway .... it is all about my peace of mind, my mental security. I can use a shoelace if I think that is enough. And frankly, if I wound a shoelace through the rear wheel and frame enough so someone couldn't untangle it in five minutes, it would be about as secure.

If I Really wanted to discourage theft I would just take both wheels with me. No one is going for a joyride on a wheel-less frame, and no one is going to make any money buying wheels to put on a cheap bike to try to sell it.

I've been using one of these for a while now, and I find it to be really useful as a second lock for my wheel, giving me much greater peace of mind for the wheel than a cable would, or to secure the bike on transit. Thieves are known to pull bikes off bike racks on the buses or trains, but this lock is quick enough to put on and take off that I can add a layer of security without inconveniencing other passengers.

Why do people always think we need to be positive and bright and bubbly when someone makes crap? I say be honest about stuff, we don't all have to get giddy over the latest piece of coated colored hipster stuff.

If you want a good wheel lock get Pinheads, Pitlocks, ABUS Nutfix or something like that. If you want a light lock that is easy to carry but provides a small modicum of security the lower security ABUS folding locks work great. Also practicing good locking is helpful even for short trips.

^ I will not be positive and bubbly about your post.

It's great to hear so many users are reporting back with long term positive experiences.

OttoLock is much lighter than any U lock by a wide margin. Ottolock is half a pound. The lightest mini u lock is 2 lbs. The heaviest weigh in at 6 lbs.+. My kryptonite + cable + keys is 3.5 lbs.

I wouldn't mind dropping 3 lbs of weight if the lock is just as secure and the price hit isn't too great.

It turns out I spoke too soon. According to a reviewer on mec.ca, the ottolock can be cut through, in very little time.

I won't be "upgrading" to an ottolock. Perhaps my generic kryptonite ulock isn't any more effective, but at least it won't cost me an extra $100 if it's defeated.

Got a link there, please? I looked though the search engine and the gear blogs and couldn't find it.

https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5056-0...h-Lock#reviews

Bravo!

Thanks, those were some interesting reviews. makes me thing my array of cheap and sleazies offer as much protection and cost $100 less, because I already own them.

A review on Amazon is much more damning than on MEC. You do not need to cut it, but can open in the same a zip-tie when you want to spare it, by pushing a blade into the ratcheting locking mechanism. I thought I could get it for the times in travel when I borrow a local bike and it comes w/o a lock, but I regretfully retreat.